Extensions don't work in incognito by default — you have to turn them on yourself
When you open a browser in incognito mode, most extensions stop working automatically. This is intentional: incognito is designed to keep your browsing private, and browsers assume you don't want extensions tracking or storing data from those sessions. But if you trust an extension and want it to work in incognito, you can change that setting for each one individually.
The steps differ slightly between Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari, but the principle is the same: you go to your extension settings and flip a toggle that says something like "Allow in incognito" or "Run in private windows". This takes about 30 seconds per extension.
Key Takeaways
- Extensions are blocked in incognito by default because incognito is meant to be private and extensions can track or store data.
- You enable each extension individually in its own settings — there is no single "allow all" switch.
- The setting location and wording varies by browser, but you always start from your extension list or settings menu.
- Enabling an extension in incognito means it will see your incognito browsing, so only do this for extensions you trust.
How to enable extensions in Chrome incognito
Open Chrome and go to chrome://extensions in the address bar, or click the menu button (three vertical dots) in the top right, then select More tools > Extensions.
Find the extension you want to use in incognito. Click the Details button on that extension's card. Scroll down until you see Allow in incognito and toggle it on. The extension will now work the next time you open an incognito window.
If you want to check which extensions are already allowed, the toggle will show blue (on) or gray (off) next to each one. You can also see this information on the main extensions page without clicking Details — the toggle appears directly on the card.
How to enable extensions in Edge incognito
Open Edge and click the menu button (three horizontal dots) in the top right. Select Extensions > Manage extensions. You can also type edge://extensions in the address bar.
Find your extension and click Details. Look for the toggle labeled Allow in InPrivate (Edge calls incognito mode "InPrivate"). Turn it on. The extension will work in your next InPrivate window.
How to enable extensions in Firefox private windows
Firefox handles this differently than Chrome or Edge. Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right and select Add-ons and themes, or type about:addons in the address bar.
Find your extension in the list. Click the three dots next to it and select Manage. Look for the section labeled Run in Private Windows and choose Allow from the dropdown menu. Some extensions may show Allowed or Not Allowed as a toggle instead.
Firefox also lets you set a default behavior for all extensions at once. On the same Add-ons page, click Extensions in the left sidebar, then scroll to the bottom and look for Private Browsing. You can choose to allow all extensions in private windows by default, but you can still turn off individual ones if you prefer.
How to enable extensions in Safari private windows
Safari's approach is simpler. Open Safari and go to Safari > Settings (or Preferences on older versions). Click the Extensions tab.
Select the extension you want to enable. On the right side, check the box next to Allow in private browsing. That's it — the extension will now work in Safari's private windows.
Why extensions are blocked in incognito by default
Incognito and private browsing modes exist so your browser doesn't save your history, cookies, or temporary files from those sessions. When you close an incognito window, almost everything you did disappears from your device.
Extensions can break this privacy by storing data about your browsing, tracking your activity, or syncing information to the internet. A password manager, for example, might save login attempts. An ad blocker might log which sites you visit. A weather extension might record your location. By blocking extensions by default, browsers prevent them from collecting data during incognito sessions.
This doesn't mean extensions are dangerous — it means you should only enable them in incognito if you trust them and understand what they do. A password manager is usually safe to enable. A random coupon extension you installed once is probably not.
What happens when you enable an extension in incognito
Once you turn on the setting, the extension will run exactly as it normally does, except it will only see your incognito browsing. It can still access the pages you visit, read the text on those pages, and perform its normal function. If it's a data-collecting extension, it will collect data from your incognito session.
The key difference is that when you close the incognito window, your browser forgets the session — but the extension may not. Some extensions store data on your device or in the cloud, and that data persists even after you close incognito. This is why you should only enable extensions you actually trust.
If you change your mind, you can turn the setting back off at any time. The extension will stop working in incognito immediately, though any data it collected before you disabled it will remain wherever it was stored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enable all my extensions in incognito at once?
Firefox lets you allow all extensions in private windows by default from the Add-ons settings page. Chrome, Edge, and Safari require you to enable each extension individually. If you have many extensions, it takes a few minutes, but you only do it once.
Will enabling an extension in incognito slow down my browser?
No more than it would in a normal window. The extension runs the same way either way. If an extension slows your browser in regular mode, it will slow it in incognito too — and vice versa.
What if I enable an extension in incognito and then uninstall it?
The setting disappears with the extension. If you reinstall it later, you'll need to enable it in incognito again. The browser doesn't remember your old choice.
Do I need to enable extensions in incognito if I'm just using them for work?
Only if you want to use incognito mode while working. If you're using a normal window, extensions work automatically. Incognito is useful for keeping work browsing separate from personal browsing, but it's not required for extensions to function.
Can a website tell if I'm using an extension in incognito?
Yes, websites can sometimes detect that an extension is running, whether you're in incognito or not. This is one reason some people disable extensions in incognito — to reduce the amount of information websites can gather about them. Enabling an extension in incognito doesn't change this.